Treatment implications of the emerging molecular classification system for melanoma.

Melanoma is an aggressive disease with few standard treatment options. The conventional classification system for this disease is based on histological growth patterns, with division into four subtypes: superficial spreading, lentigo maligna, nodular, and acral lentiginous. Major limitations of this classification system are absence of prognostic importance and little correlation with treatment outcomes.

The prevalence of alcohol use disorders among night-time weekend drivers.

Aims: The objective of this study was to establish the extent of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) among drivers at risk for alcohol-related crashes. The prevalence of drivers with AUDs on US roads on weekend evenings when alcohol-related crashes are most frequent is unknown. This study will inform laws and programs designed to reduce alcohol-involved crashes.

Preventing victimization among young women: The intervention.

Objective: We examined the effect of a brief intervention, titled , to reduce victimization among young college-aged females.

Participants: A total of 1,048 women participated; 496 participants in the control and 552 in the experimental condition.

Method: Young Americans crossing the U.

Light transmittance aggregometry induced by different concentrations of adenosine diphosphate to monitor clopidogrel therapy: a methodological study.

Light transmission aggregation (LTA) is considered the reference method to identify residual platelet reactivity (RPR) in high-risk patients with coronary artery disease on clopidogrel treatment. An international standardization of this technique is still ongoing and different concentrations of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) as the agonist for LTA have been used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of clopidogrel treatment. To evaluate RPR, LTA was performed using different ADP concentrations (2, 5, 10, and 20 μmol/L) in 466 high-risk patients with coronary artery disease on dual antiplatelet therapy who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and in 46 healthy subjects.

Progressive loss of lymphatic vessels in skin of patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objective: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by microvascular and fibrotic changes in the skin and internal organs. The role of blood vessel dysfunction in the pathogenesis of SSc has been extensively investigated, but few studies have addressed the involvement of the lymphatic vascular system. Our aim was to evaluate dermal lymphatic vessels in patients with SSc according to different phases of skin involvement.

MFI ratio estimation of ZAP-70 in B-CLL by flow cytometry can be improved by considering the isotype-matched antibody signal.

Introduction: The IgV(H) mutational status of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is of prognostic value. Expression of ZAP-70 in B-CLL is a surrogate marker for IgV(H) unmutated (UM). As determination of IgV(H) mutational status involves a methodology currently unavailable for most clinical laboratories, it is important to have available a reliable technique for ZAP-70 estimation in B-CLL.

School readiness and later achievement: replication and extension using a nationwide Canadian survey.

In this article we replicate and extend findings from Duncan et al. (2007). The 1st study used Canada-wide data on 1,521 children from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) to examine the influence of kindergarten literacy and math skills, mother-reported attention, and mother-reported socioemotional behaviors on 3rd-grade math and reading outcomes.

Crossing a border for a low-cost, high-risk environment: smoking status and excessive drinking among young adults in Tijuana.

This study examines the drinking and smoking behavior of 2,311 college-age adults traveling from San Diego, California, to Tijuana, Mexico (December 2006 to December 2008). We describe this Border sample's drinking history and smoking status and estimate multivariate models of evening drinking participation and, conditional on drinking, blood alcohol concentration. Noting limitations, we present implications for identifying young adults at high risk for alcohol and tobacco use, particularly females, and lay the foundation for further research examining young adults? alcohol and tobacco use in reduced price scenarios.

Female involvement in U.S. nonfatal crashes under a three-level hierarchical crash model.

Men have long held the lead in motor-vehicle crashes; however, research indicates that women are closing the gap. To further investigate this problem, we applied a hierarchical model to investigate female involvement in fatal crashes in the United States. The hierarchical model recognizes that decisions at higher levels affect the decisions at lower levels.

Two-year predictive validity of conduct disorder subtypes in early adolescence: a latent class analysis of a Canadian longitudinal sample.

Background: Investigating the latent structure of conduct disorder (CD) can help clarify how symptoms related to aggression, property destruction, theft, and serious violations of rules cluster in individuals with this disorder. Discovering homogeneous subtypes can be useful for etiologic, treatment, and prevention purposes depending on the qualitative or quantitative nature of the symptomatology. The aim of the present study is twofold: identify subtypes of CD in young adolescents based on latent class analysis (LCA) and investigate the two-year predictive validity of CD subtypes on deviant and criminal lifestyles.

Structural and vibrational analysis of thymoquinone.

The molecular structure of 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, C(6)O(2)H(2) (CH(3))(3)CH, has been optimized using methods based on density functional theory (DFT) and Moller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2). As regards C(6)O(2)H(2) (CH(3))(3)CH, two populated conformations with C(1) (trans) and C(s) (cis) symmetries are obtained, the former being more stable than the latter. The theoretical data indicate that although both anti and cis conformers are possible by rotation about the C-C bond, the preferred conformation is trans.

Site and timing of first relapse in stage III melanoma patients: implications for follow-up guidelines.

Purpose: Stage III melanoma is associated with a high risk of relapse and mortality. Nevertheless, follow-up guidelines have largely been empirical rather than evidence-based.

Patients And Methods: Clinical records of stage III patients with no evidence of disease seen at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) between 1992 and 2004, who ultimately relapsed, were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate date of first relapse, time to first relapse, method of first relapse detection, and survival.

Perseverative responding and neuroanatomical alterations in adult heterozygous reeler mice are mitigated by neonatal estrogen administration.

According to the "extreme-male brain" theory, elevated fetal testosterone levels may partly explain the skewed sex ratio found in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Correcting this testosterone imbalance by increasing estrogen levels may mitigate the abnormal phenotype. Accordingly, while control heterozygous reeler (rl/+) male mice - a putative model of neuroanatomical and behavioral endophenotypes in ASD - show a decreased number of Purkinje cells (PC) compared to control wild-type (+/+) littermates, neonatal estradiol administration has been shown to correct this deficit in the short-term (i.

Sexual assault histories and evening drinking among young american men in a high-risk drinking environment.

This study surveyed young American men traveling to Tijuana, Mexico from San Diego, California for a weekend night out, collecting responses both southbound at the outset of the evening and northbound upon return at the end of the evening. Among 650 males, we examined the relationship between sexual histories and attitudes and alcohol use, both historically and on their night in Tijuana. Respondents with a history of coercing sex drank more in Tijuana and were more likely to binge drink.

Cognitive impulsivity in animal models: role of response time and reinforcing rate in delay intolerance with two-choice operant tasks.

Impulsivity, a key symptom of ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), is also common in obsessive-compulsive and addictive disorders. There is rising interest in animal models of inhibitory-control impairment. Adolescent rats were tested daily in the intolerance-to-delay (ID) task (session 25 min, timeout 20 s), involving choice between either immediate small amount of food (SS), or larger amount of food after a delay (LL).

The impact of the Bagnoli industrial site (Naples, Italy) on sea-bottom environment. Chemical and textural features of sediments and the related response of benthic foraminifera.

The coastal zone of the disused industrial site of Bagnoli, has been studied since 1999 in order to highlight chemical and ecological features of pollution, mainly due to a steel plant. This further study was performed in order to check the foraminiferal response to changes in sediment grain-size and contaminant concentrations and to recognise the actual effects of the environmental stress determined by industrial pollution on the foraminiferal assemblages. This was attained by considering a wider area than in the previous studies so as to recognise the possible reference conditions.

Benthic foraminifera from the coastal zone of Baia (Naples, Italy): assemblage distribution and modification as tools for environmental characterisation.

The coastal zone of Baia (Naples) is currently included in a protected marine area, but in past it was affected by strong anthropogenic pressure for commercial harbour activity. In order to investigate the impact of past activities, a multidisciplinary characterisation was undertaken to evaluate the environmental quality of marine sediments. Thirty-six grab samples were collected for grain-size, heavy metals, PAHs and PCBs analyses.

The IL1-like cytokine IL33 and its receptor ST2 are abnormally expressed in the affected skin and visceral organs of patients with systemic sclerosis.

Background: Early endothelial cell (EC) activation/damage and profibrotic Th2-associated cytokines play a pivotal role in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Interleukin 33 (IL33) is a novel member of the IL1 family that promotes Th2 responses and inflammation through the ST2 receptor. IL33 is also a chromatin-associated transcriptional regulator in ECs.

The sustainable pumping rate concept: lessons from a case study in central Italy.

The term sustainable pumping rate (SPR) is defined as the maximum pumping rate that can be maintained indefinitely without mining an aquifer, and is different from the concept of safe yield (SY), which takes into account also aspects related to the much wider concept of sustainability. The assessment of the SPR for the case study of Petrignano d'Assisi, an alluvial aquifer located in Central Italy, shows the need for a reliable estimate of the global water budget of the aquifer, particularly of the recharge under undisturbed conditions; however, the latter is not sufficient, because the SPR is affected also by the geometry of the aquifer, the hydraulic conductivity pattern, the variation of recharge/discharge ratio induced by the abstractions, and so on. All these aspects are analyzed by means of a numerical flow model calibrated both under undisturbed conditions (1974) and under exploitation conditions (1998 to 2004).

Toward national estimates of alcohol use disorders among drivers: results from the National Roadside Survey Pilot Program.

Objective: To determine whether drivers contacted at the roadside can be screened for alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Secondarily, to produce preliminary estimates of AUDs among drivers and estimate the relationship between AUD status and BAC measured at the roadside.

Methods: A two-phase survey program was undertaken.

An 8-year follow-up study of profiles and predictors of methylphenidate use in a nationwide sample of boys.

Objectives: To identify methylphenidate profiles over several years in a national sample of boys and examine behavioral and sociodemographic predictors of use.

Study Design: Five cycles of a Canadian survey were used, resulting in 1447 boys followed from 2 to 3 years to 10 to 11 years. Mother reports of boys' methylphenidate use from 4 to 5 years to 10 to 11 years were used to identify profiles over time.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-expressing mature human monocyte-derived dendritic cells expand potent autologous regulatory T cells.

A comprehensive understanding of the complex, autologous cellular interactions and regulatory mechanisms that occur during normal dendritic cell (DC)-stimulated immune responses is critical to optimizing DC-based immunotherapy. We have found that mature, immunogenic human monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) up-regulate the immune-inhibitory enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Under stringent autologous culture conditions without exogenous cytokines, mature moDCs expand regulatory T cells (Tregs) by an IDO-dependent mechanism.

Assessment of platelet function on whole blood by multiple electrode aggregometry in high-risk patients with coronary artery disease receiving antiplatelet therapy.

This study sought to compare Multiplate impedance platelet aggregometry (IPA) with light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and the PFA-100 for determining the prevalence of residual platelet reactivity (RPR) by the Multiplate IPA in 297 patients with acute coronary syndrome receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. Aggregations were induced by adenosine-5 diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid, and collagen. PFA-100 closure times were measured by collagen and ADP and epinephrine (CEPI) cartridges.

Implied-consent laws: a review of the literature and examination of current problems and related statutes.

Problem: A substantial proportion of drivers arrested for DUI refuse the BAC test, thereby reducing the likelihood that they will be convicted and potentially increasing the number of high-risk multiple offenders contributing to alcohol-related crashes.

Method: This paper reviews the information on the current status of implied-consent laws (which impose a sanction on offenders who refuse the BAC test) in the 50 states and the other relevant traffic safety laws and policies that may influence state refusal rates.

Results: Although there appears to be only a weak relationship between state refusal rates and crash rates, there is strong evidence that BAC test refusals significantly compromise the arrest, prosecution, and sentencing of DUI suspects and the overall enforcement of DUI laws in the United States.